With Foundation Cement Poured, Town Resurrecting Gazebo On The Green

EAST HAVEN, CT — Progress is well underway on the exciting new gazebo at the East Haven TownGreen. After carefully reviewing multiple bids, the Town chose to keep the project in-house — withthe East Haven Public Works Department leading the effort, resulting in significant savings fortaxpayers.

In early May 2024, the town began removing the gazebo on the Town Green to make way for a new community pavilion.

Decades of weathering, and wear and tear rendered the historic gazebo structure beyond repair, necessitating its removal, and building from the ground up a new Town Green centerpiece in its place.

This week, the town Public Works Department got to work — cement was poured Thursday as part of the foundation. So, in addition to the archway and brick pavers, the new gazebo is part of the Town Green beautification project.

Public Works crews have already completed key foundational steps, including digging and shaping the base, assembling and welding steel rebar, and pouring the concrete footings. The concrete is now in the curing phase, a process that takes about 28 days. In the meantime, crews are continuing other preparations to keep the project moving forward. The assembly of the gazebo is expected to begin around April 20.

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora has committed to town beautification, restoration and rebuild, something he's called "important for the community."

“The town’s Public Works Department has done the entire project so far at a very big savings for
taxpayers,” Carfora said. “Their hard work and dedication are turning this vision into
reality, and I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

The new gazebo will feature a classic New England design, adding to the charm and character of the
revitalized Town Green — creating a welcoming, picturesque gathering spot for residents and
visitors alike.

When he began his first term in office, Carfora said plainly he'd inherited a "neglected town,"and in the case of the gazebo, "It was cracking. It was not maintained and, in some areas, it was unsafe." And while public works began making repairs in 2020, in the years prior, Carfora said, workers did not make repairs: "They weren’t told to." But added then that when staff began working on the structure, "Employees took a lot of pride in that work. It just should have been a job they were told to do. They weren’t."

The new gazebo is just one part of the overall Town Beautification plan. To date that's included the West End Sidewalk Improvement project, the new Town Green archway, the brick pavers that line the walks along the Green, parks and playground restoration and rebuild and more.

Funding for some projects came in part from pandemic-related American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 monies.

Now, the gazebo building work is well underway.